AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Isabella’s chest tightened. She could imagine the scene, and it moved her in a deep way.
“He said, ‘No, Mama, it is too late. I have offended God and sinned against Him and all mankind.’ I told him thatGod loved him even more than I did, and if I was willing to give him a second chance, how could he think that God’s love would not do the same? He cried out to the Lord and asked for forgiveness. He begged Jesus to cover his sins, and in that moment, I saw God’s love. My son’s eyes widened, and he gasped a little. I thought it was his terrible pain, but then the most peaceful look passed over his face, and the edges of his lips curled up just a bit. He looked at me and said, ‘Mama, He’s here. He’s not going to forsake me.’ Those were his last words.”
Her voice broke, and she paused to take a handkerchief from her pocket and wipe her eyes. “And you know what?” she continued, sniffing. “He was right. God was there. I felt His presence as I feel it now. He’s here with us because we’ve come together in His name to do His work and offer praise to Him. Many of you wondered where I was these last few weeks, and now you know. We buried my boy in Albuquerque next to his father, but I know I will see him again one day.” She smiled. “I just wanted to tell you of my joy.”
Many of the women got up and went to her. They hugged her close and spoke words of compassion and love. Isabella had never seen anything like it. The woman’s son was dead, yet she had called it her joy.
“‘Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth,’” Mama whispered.
Isabella turned to her mother. “What did you say?”
“Luke fifteen, verse ten,” Mama replied, wiping her own tears. “Jesus has just told the parable of the sheep that went missing and the shepherd who left the ninety-nine to find the one. Then He tells of a woman who has ten pieces of silver but loses one. She searches and searches until it is found and then invites her neighbors to celebrate with her. Jesusthen tells the people the story of the prodigal son. Do you remember it?”
“I do.”
“Julietta’s prodigal son has come home, and all of heaven is rejoicing.”
The prodigal had returned. Isabella shifted, uncomfortable at the thought. Had her mother spent years in prayer for her hard heart? When she heard Julietta’s story, did she have hope for Isabella?
She looked at her mother and saw tears streaming down her face. She looked back toward Julietta and the other women, most who no doubt had children of their own. They were crying and laughing, rejoicing over the lost child who was found.
“I need some air,” Isabella told her mother and left the room as quickly as she could.
She grabbed her coat on her way out the door and cherished its warmth as the cold air hit her face. She’d been there only a few minutes when she caught the scent of cologne. Aaron.
She turned and found him standing only a few feet away. He looked worried. “Your father sent me to bring you both home. He’s feeling poorly and has taken to his bed.”
Isabella nodded, dread pooling in her stomach. “I’ll fetch Mama.”
